It was a cloudy early morning as Levi walked to work. The sun hadn't even risen yet. He took note of the clouds before he left his house, carrying an umbrella. It was a short walk from his home to the cafe he owned. The streets were quiet, except for the occasional car passing by. He stopped in front of his store, admiring the clean windows and walls. The window read out "Cafe Krähe Flügel" in black cursive. A crow sat elegantly at the end of the font. Levi turned the key in the lock and opened the door. He switched on the lights, moving some chairs down and got a head start on the rest of his staff. It was a nice, elegant place. A long wooden counter took one part of the cafe. It had several stools sitting next to it, inviting customers to take a seat. This was where Levi prepared coffee and served customers. The rest of cafe had booths and small tables for customers to sit and relax.
By the time Gunther arrived, Levi had already washed all the tables, set up the chairs, began brewing hot and cold coffee, turned on all his machines, turned on the radio, and even had a cup for Gunther waiting. Levi remembered the way he liked his coffee as well. One of shot of cream and one lump of sugar. He respected how hard he worked even if did look gruff at times.
"Morning, Captain." He smiled, removing his coat.
"Don't call me that." He said, making Eld's drink.
"And make sure you wash your hands." He added on the order. He finished making a simple cappuccino for Eld and set it out for him too. Levi liked to make sure his staff was energized and ready for the day. He wasn't worried about it getting cold either. By the time he set it on the saucer, Eld had walked in.
"Ah. Right on time." Eld smiled. He sat next to Gunther and they both enjoyed their drinks. The door opened again. Oruo yawned as walked through the door.
"Morning." He mumbled to the trio, taking his seat at the counter. Levi poured a black coffee for himself and for Oruo. He made a point to put Oruo's cup next to the sugar. Gunther and Eld shared a chuckle. Oruo liked to act like Levi and drink black coffee like him, but Levi knew he couldn't handle it unless he had sugar. For the sake of Oruo's pride, everyone pretended not to notice when he added sugar when no one was looking.
"Any deliveries coming in this morning?" Gunther asked.
"We'll be getting our usual delivery of bread and pastries from the Kirstein Bakery. She said her son would be in charge of the delivery. So keep an eye out for a lost kid." Levi explained, sipping his coffee.
"Noted." Eld nodded.
"Hope he gets here before that Potato girl gets here." Oruo sighed.
"She'll be devastated if we don't have anything." Gunther laughed a bit.
"We have drinks. She can be happy with that." Levi finished his coffee. He went to the sink and washed his cup. A knock at the door caught everyone's attention. Eld stood, walking over to answer the door.
"Hello?"
"Um...hi. I'm here with a delivery for..."Cafe Krähe Flügel"?" He spoke the name perfectly. His face was stern with small brown eyes and light brown hair. Levi could swear he had seen that same scowl before.
"Wow. You got here earlier than we thought." Eld chuckled.
"I've been getting acquainted with the area. Anyway, where would you like everything?" The young man asked.
"Set everything in the kitchen. Make sure you wipe your feet." Levi stared at him.
"Yes, sir." He nodded nervously.
Within a matter of minutes, all of the product was brought into the kitchen. Fresh loafs of bread, danishes, doughnuts, small assortment of tea cakes and cookies, everything all small cafe would need for the day.
"Okay. That's the last one." The young man smiled.
"You drink coffee, kid?" Levi asked him on his way out.
"Yes. I do enjoy coffee from time to time." He looked surprised. Levi gestured to a seat at the counter.
"My name is Jean, by the way." He introduced himself.
"What would you like to drink Jean?" Levi asked.
"Um...small latte with a shot of vanilla, please." Jean asked. Levi immediately went to work. His hands moving quick and effortlessly. He added the shot of vanilla to a small cup. He mixed the espresso and milk perfectly within the cup. He placed the cup on the saucer in front of Jean.
"Enjoy." Levi nodded. Jean took a small sip. An expression of shock flew across his face.
"It's amazing! This is the best coffee I ever had!" Jean complimented Levi.
"I bet it beats that prepackaged swill you're used to." Levi crossed his arms.
"By miles! I can see why Mom loves this place so much!" Jean smiled honestly. A small smirk played on Levi's face. Levi always enjoyed watching people learn what true coffee tastes like.
"I'll have to come back here more often." Jean smiled.
"You bagged another one, Captain." Oruo laughed from the kitchen.
"Don't call me that." Levi ordered.
"Yes, sir." Oruo nodded. Jean spent a couple of minutes enjoying his drink.
"What do I owe you?" Jean asked after he finished his latte.
"That one is on the house. Next time you pay for your own." Levi nodded at him.
"All right, Sir." Jean bowed politely. He stood and left with a smile.
"You may look sour all the time, but you really know how to be sweet, sir." Eld laughed.
"What was that? 'Please dock my pay?' " Levi glared at him.
"Nothing, sir." Eld laughed, nervously.
"That's what I thought." Levi washed Jean's empty cup.
Everything was quiet for awhile after that. Business started to pick up around 8. His staff handled everyone who sat at a booth or a table. Levi took care of the counter by himself. The first person to come in was Detective Erwin Smith. Levi filled Erwin's personal mug with regular black coffee. Levi respected the man for his passions and the work he did. It was because of Erwin that Levi had this shop in the first place. Levi was a criminal in his younger years until he was caught by Erwin. The surprising fact was that Erwin didn't arrest him. His journey to this shop started with a cup of coffee.
"You have the potential to do more with your life. Why do you waste it doing these illicit acts?" Erwin held a cup of coffee in his hands. It was from a chain of coffee store. Levi was handcuffed in the back seat of the police car.
"Why do you drink that swill?" Levi asked him suddenly.
"I beg your pardon?" Erwin raised an eyebrow.
"That. Why do you drink it?" Levi nodded his head to the coffee cup.
"Because I like coffee. Pure and simple." Erwin stated.
"I could make a better cup of coffee than that sludge." Levi blinked.
"All right then. Prove it." Erwin smiled.
A couple years later after that day, Levi opened his cafe. Erwin took a chance on him and it payed off. Maybe someday, Levi would get to do the same for another. The chance seemed pretty slim though.
"The place looks good, Levi." Erwin took a seat at the counter.
"I know. I cleaned it myself." Levi wiped the counter down.
"I'll be your first customer. It's only fitting." Erwin pulled out his wallet. Levi set something on the counter in front of him. It made a thud without breaking.
"That's your mug. You've paid for your coffee." Levi said. The look in his eyes said it all.
"I guess I have." Erwin laughed.
The bell rang as another customer walked in, bringing Levi out of his memories. It was Mikasa, Levi's cousin.
"Nice to see you again, cousin." Levi nodded to her.
"Cousin." She nodded. She still wore that same red scarf like always. He got to work making her drink before she even ordered it. Iced latte with a triple shot of espresso.
"Still dealing with the usual?" Levi asked her.
"Eren blew another interview." Mikasa sighed.
"What's that? The nineteenth one?" Levi guessed. He set her drink in front of her on top of a napkin.
"Twenty-fourth." Mikasa corrected him. She held the cup, taking small sips.
"That's rough." Levi wiped down his machines. He glanced over at her worried expression.
"I'm worried he won't find a job anywhere." She murmured into her latte.
"Bring him here." Levi turned to her.
"Huh?" Mikasa looked at him, surprised.
"Bring him here." Levi sat there with his signature expression.
"If you like him so much, he can't be that bad." He crossed his arms, leaning against the counter.
"Why would you want to help him out?" Mikasa asked him. Levi gazed over to Erwin, who was drinking his coffee and looking at his laptop.
"I have my reasons." Levi told her.
"All right. Thanks...Levi." Mikasa smiled at him.
"You're welcome...Mikasa." He nodded The two just sat there in silence for a moment.
"Let's just stick with 'cousin'?" Mikasa asked.
"Good idea, cousin." Levi agreed. Mikasa finished her drink and payed her bill. On her way out, another woman walked in. She had medium length blonde hair, brown eyes, and she wore proper business attire. She looked rather exhausted in Levi's opinion, but she kept a cheery smile on her face."Welcome to Cafe Krähe Flügel. What can I get for you?" Levi asked her. The woman sat down at the counter and looked at menu.
"Hmmmm...a large hazelnut iced cappuccino with almond milk, a double shot of fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry." The woman smiled.
"Could I add anything to your drink? Sprinkle a little gold on it for you?" Levi raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh, no thanks. Gold is a bit too rich for my tastes. I prefer bronze or silver." She smirked.
"Coming right up." Levi smirked. It took him a few short minutes to make her drink. He grabbed a large glass, filling it with ice. He added the almond milk and cold brew espresso. He added the hazelnut and fudge to the drink and stirred until it was blended seamlessly. He sprayed the whipped cream in a perfect spiral, dusted it with shredded chocolate and added the cherry on top.
"It's not silver, but I find chocolate is just as good as that. " Levi snarked at her.
"Looks delicious." The woman smiled. She held her cup and sipped it gingerly. The expression on her face brightened considerably.
"How is it?" Levi asked. "This is the best thing I've ever had. I'll have to come here before work from now on. When does this place open?"
"I'm usually in here by five in the morning." He told her.
"Oh good. I'm usually on my way to work by seven. I'll stop by before then." She smiled.
"What's your name, Hazelnut?" Levi stared at her.
"Hazelnut?" She raised an eyebrow at him. He pointed to her drink.
"Like your drink. Plus it matches your hair too" Levi explained.
"Oh. My name is Petra. Petra Ral." She introduced herself, laughing a bit at the nickname.
"Levi Ackerman. I own this cafe." He introduced himself.
"Well then. I'll guess I'll be seeing you more often, Levi." Petra smiled. It was a bright and honest smile. Levi felt something deep within him, but didn't let it show.
"That sounds nice, Hazelnut. That sounds nice." Levi agreed.